Wrong lead in canter

Chico Mio

Chico Mio

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It's in my update, but I really would like some ideas/advice please.

Ari seems to be incapable of cantering on the correct leg when lunging, he always changes to the outside leg, even if he strikes off on the correct lead after about four strides he does a flying change to put him back on the wrong lead. Ideas please?

I've never asked him for a specific lead when we canter out hacking as he has no schooling whatsoever and I'm not good at getting a lead if I am not on a bend
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Cantering on the lunge is very hard work for a horse as they are trying to keep their balance on a small circle. I would give it a rest for a bit, just carry on with the trot work, building up strength and the correct muscles and balance. Practice transitions walk to trot to walk and varying the circle size but concentrate on the quality of the work.

If you are out for a ride and can have a nice gentle canter say "canter" in a clear voice, and then give the same command when you ask for canter on the lunge.

I don't ask for much cantering from my horse and he is used to being lunged and is older.
 
Five in May. He was backed at three, turned away and then brought into work this year. His education has been basic so far. I did notice when his previous owner was lunging him that he was on the wrong leg.

When he does it I bring him back to trot and ask him to strike off again.
 
i wouldnt worry too much about a 5 yr old. i would do more trot work as orange horse said to build muscles and balance,
and canter in straight lines to begin with.

wait till he is more balanced before asking for a circle on the correct lead.

mine allways goes off on the wrong lead on one rein (weaker) side, lots of transistions helps this but its a slow process
 
Orangehorse - I don't normally do any canter with him when we lunge - just walk and trot, but he broke into a canter and I noticed he was on the wrong leg, brought him back to trot and he did it again on the next circuit. When we changed direction I did ask him to canter to see what happened and he went off on the wrong leg, brought him back to trot, asked again, got correct leg for a few strides, then he changed. Went back to trot, asked for correct lead, got it so I gave him lots of praise and then took him down to walk after a few strides so we stopped with him having been on the correct leg.
 
Thanks guys! I won't worry too much then - he is still quite babyish about some things so we will stick to low level schooling for the time being. I was just curious as I would have thought it was easier for him to lead with the correct leg.
 
With Frank it was an indication of his pelvis being out behind.

Now I pick up on it earlier and its very obvious if you see him walk from behind that he dips on one side

he was established then though but just somehting to keep in mind.
 
i would check his back and teeth. then in menage ask for correct lead, on both reins, pat him up when correct, no no when wrong represent in balanced trot and ask again. if he is reapeatedly slim and dim on one rein then ask over a pole. you might want a helper for this (to take pole away so you can canter on correct leg). i think (my view) if you are happy to accept a wrong lead, or a wrong interpretation of aids whilst young, then this sets a precedent for the years ahead.!
 
No chiropractor/back person within about 500km I estimate! Teeth are fine.

No manege, poles or flat area to school in (we do our schooling where we find room out hacking at the moment)

I'm not happy to accept wrong leads, but to be fair I've never asked him for one under saddle as all our canters (all three of them so far) have been on hacks and just for fun.

I think he is just very green and has done no schooling at all. In a way it's good as I can try to teach him things properly but I I'm just so used to my well schooled, responsive FB that I was a bit taken by surprise by a horse who preferred to use the wrong leg on a circle.

Thanks for all the advice it is appreciated.
 
babies need to have fun... keep it that way, hes just unbalanced. give him time he will find it more comfortable to go on the right lead! people are far to serious these days
 
my last horse always struck off wrong on th eright rein but after lots of time and good walk and trot training etc he finally got th ehang of it- it just happened one day and he never looked back inc getting us an 8 in nov 21 ( i think) for our canter 10m circles.

Good luck xxx
 
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